Mom to Mom – Flat Feet

Sarah Pannell:                   Today on Mom to Mom, we’re talking about flat feet. Joining me today is Doctor Carter from [inaudible 00:00:09] podiatry, thank you so much for joining us.

Doctor Carter:                   Thank you.

Sarah Pannell:                   So I hear you have some questions for me about flat feet, which is so common in kids?

Doctor Carter:                   Absolutely, we’re going to play a little game today.

Sarah Pannell:                   Okay, what have you got?

Doctor Carter:                   Okay, so I have a couple of myths that we’re going to try to bust today. The first one is do children grow out of their flat feet?

Sarah Pannell:                   I’m going to say yes.

Doctor Carter:                   Yes. You are right and wrong at the same time.

Sarah Pannell:                   Okay.

Doctor Carter:                   Every child, when they’re young has a flat foot, we’re all born with flat feet. We kind of look like a pancake, like this little model. As we approach the age of seven, five to seven we start to grow a little bit of an arch. So, if you haven’t developed an arch by that time you’re never going to have one.

Sarah Pannell:                   Got you. All right, so I’m one for one, kind of?

Doctor Carter:                   Kind of.

Sarah Pannell:                   Okay, what you got?

Doctor Carter:                   Number two, can you grow an arch? If you start with no arch can you actually develop one?

Sarah Pannell:                   I’m going to say no.

Doctor Carter:                   Okay. You’re right and wrong again.

Sarah Pannell:                   Again?

Doctor Carter:                   Again. So you definitely can’t just form an arch, however we have these cute little inserts, they’re orthotics for kids. And by putting your foot into a better position, a more anatomic position, you can cause the muscles and the bones to form in a more normal shape, hence giving you the effect of a little bit more of an arch.

Sarah Pannell:                   And the last myth …

Doctor Carter:                   This is your chance to redeem yourself.

Sarah Pannell:                   I know, I got this.

Doctor Carter:                   Does wearing a device like this make you socially awkward?

Sarah Pannell:                   No.

Doctor Carter:                   Very good.

Sarah Pannell:                   All right!

Doctor Carter:                   It actually does the opposite. When kids have this in their shoe they are faster, they’re less tired, they don’t get left out of games and team sports, they’re ready to give it their all and be their best and so it makes them feel actually more social and be more involved with the team sports, and just everything in general.

Sarah Pannell:                   All right, thank you so much Doctor Carter.

Doctor Carter:                   Thank you for having me.

Sarah Pannell:                   This is really great info, and it affects so many kids out there.

Doctor Carter:                   Absolutely.

Sarah Pannell:                   So get treated when they’re young?

Doctor Carter:                   Definitely.

Sarah Pannell:                   Is that correct?

Doctor Carter:                   Yep, that’s the moral of the story.

Sarah Pannell:                   All right moms, connect with me on Facebook, I’ll see you all next week.

Speaker 3:                           Mom to Mom is brought to you by London Women’s Care, providing care through all phases of life.